Sands China’s proactive investments in non-gaming diversification

All sectors of society in Macao have been directed toward driving the synergistic development of non-gaming elements in pursuit of economic diversification and sustainability. As the largest integrated resort operator in the city, Sands China has been continually investing in Macao and injecting unique new elements into the market over the years, including during the pandemic. The company’s integrated resorts offer an array of leisure facilities that includes distinctive hotels, event venues, shopping, entertainment, food and beverage options, and kids play zones, which have successfully attracted a vast middle-class market, prolonged visitors’ stay in Macao and boosted their spending, effectively advancing family tourism, MICE tourism and other industries in Macao.

The Londoner Macao

The Londoner Macao was thrilled to host a grand celebration in May to honour the completion of the integrated resort’s ambitious redesign and usher the Cotai Strip into a new chapter. A bold, British-themed reimagining of the Sands Cotai Central integrated resort, The Londoner Macao has been refined over the past two years in anticipation of an influx of visitors, now that Macao is once again open to the world.

The Londoner Macao comprises five lavish hotels – including the award-winning all-suite flagship, The Londoner Hotel, and the ultra-luxurious Londoner Court – with nearly 6,000 rooms and suites in total. On site are three spas, four health clubs, more than 20 dining options, boutiques from 150 world-renowned brands, and state of-the-art conference facilities, including the new 6,000-seat The Londoner Arena.

The grand celebration marked the culmination of Sheldon G. Adelson’s vision of the Cotai Strip as one of the world’s most spectacular leisure destinations. The late Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. saw Cotai’s enormous potential and invested in its development. With The Londoner Macao interconnected with The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao, visitors can enjoy the romantic atmosphere of Europe in just one stop.

Concert economy

In order to drive more international tourism to Macao and increase the number of first-time and repeat visitors, Sands China continues to bring in A-list concerts, sporting events, theatre productions, and other new-to-market attractions, including over 40 entertaining events and performances – inviting Jacky Cheong, Chang Hui Mei, Hacken Lee, Eason Chan, and Westlife. The company will continue to bring top-tier performers to the city to support the development of the “concert economy” and the Macao government’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy.

Cantopop superstar Jacky Cheung performed a record-breaking 12 shows at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena between June and July, selling more than 109,000 tickets on the first leg of his 10th world tour. In addition to recently introducing The Londoner Arena, Sands China is investing in and upgrading the Cotai Arena, further confirming the company’s commitment to leading entertainment and sporting events in Macao.

teamLab SuperNature Macao

The innovative teamLab SuperNature Macao is a permanent interactive art experience at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo. The landmark project of The Venetian Macao and Tokyo-based international art collective teamLab held its official grand opening ceremony in May, and has attracted over 450,000 visitors since its soft opening three years ago.

Several new art experience spaces within teamLab SuperNature Macao were launched in June, and more are yet to come, continuing Sands China’s strong support of MGTO’s ‘tourism+’ cross-sector integration initiative. Furthermore, Sands China has just launched the much-anticipated Harry Potter™: The Exhibition – continuously bringing novel experiences to support Macao’s vision of becoming a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Attracting overseas customers

In support of the recovery of Macao’s tourism economy, Sands China and its sister company, Marina Bay Sands, held the Macao Showcase event in Singapore in June. The three-day event introduced the diverse charm of Macao to sales and trade partners, regional and international media, Singapore’s residents, and travellers – promoting Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a premier MICE destination. The event also served as a business platform for local suppliers, with Sands China leading a delegation of around 200 people, including local SMEs, to promote the unique arts and culture, beauty, and products of Macao.

Sands China has further supported MGTO by participating in several mega roadshows in Portugal, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia and mainland China. During one of them, “Macao Week in Tianjin,” the company co-launched the “Macao Gastronomy Showcase: Taste of Macao” to present Macao’s famed culinary treasures. It allowed Tianjin residents and tourists to taste the charms of ‘tourism + gastronomy’ and highlighted Macao as a UNESCO-designated ‘Creative City of Gastronomy.’